http://mmajunkie.comSTOCKHOLM – The Ultimate Fighting Championship today held a traditional pre-event press conference, this time in honor of Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 2 card.

While MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously interviewed five of the day’s six participating fighters, there were still a few notable and entertaining moments from the ceremony, which took place at Stockholm’s Clarion Hotel.

Check out today’s UFC on FUEL TV 2 pre-event press conference notebook for Alexander Gustafsson’s thoughts on taking the spotlight, Brian Stann’s strategy of letting opponents break their hands on his chin and Alessio Sakara’s struggles with pizza and pasta.

Bing, bang, boom

Italian middleweight Alessio Sakara was the unquestionable star of Thursday’s proceedings, using his admittedly still-in-development English skills to bring a few laughs from the gathered media. The first instance came when Sakara discussed the possibility of a standup war with opponent Brian Stann.

It was apparently clear enough to lightweight newcomer Reza Madadi, who called back the phrase when describing his continued amazement at his good fortunes, as well as his own plans for Saturday night.

“I can’t believe I’m sitting here beside these other stars,” Madadi said. “What I’ll tell you guys to expect on Saturday night, when they close the cage, you’re going to see bing, bang, boom.”
The clear relationship between Italian food and the UFC

Sakara continued his contributions to today’s festivities with not only one, but two references to the famed food of his Italian homeland.

The first came as Sakara discussed the potential of fighting in the country when the UFC finally does make its Italian debut. While the plans are in their infancy, at best, Sakara said there is a real demand for the UFC in Italy. He also said that events like Saturday’s, which air at a more favorable time for European audiences, will do nothing but assist in growing the market.

“The UFC is very popular in Italy,” Sakara said. “The people are very happy because every time I fight in the UFC, people need to wake up. Italian people are asleep – 4 o’clock (in the morning) is very bad. So I fight at 10 o’clock, and people will have a pizza and see me fighting. I’m very happy because I’m fighting close to my country.”

Sakara’s second effort at sending media to the local Olive Garden came as he addressed his continued efforts to dial in his body at 185 pounds after previously competing as a light heavyweight. Sakara, who has been working with coaches from rugby Italian club team Lazio, said he’s doing just fine with a new approach in his diet.

“Before, I had a big problem because with Italian people, the food is a big problem,” Sakara said. “For that, the weight is a big problem. … No more food. On Saturday night, pasta. Not now.”
Just break your hand on my face

While UFC middleweight Brian Stann is perhaps best known as a former WEC champ and Marine war hero, his jutting chin is also one of his most memorable features.

Stann’s chiseled jawline and massive melon became the butt of his own joke while addressing his reputation for having a granite, well, chin.

“As far as my chin, as you can tell from my head and jaw, you just have to be born with it,” Stann said. “When I first started training, and I wasn’t very good, I would just tell them, ‘Well, I can still beat you.’ They’d ask me how, and I’d say, ‘Just break your hand on my face.’ I’ve learned a little more foot movement since then.”

While the comment drew several laughs, including from the panel, Stann did offer an astute opinion on the risk of brain injury in MMA. Stann contends many fighters ruin their chin well before they’re clipped in a fight.

“I think one of the most important things I’ve noticed over the past few years, in training I think too many fighters leave their chin in the gym,” Stann said. “They spar so hard in the gym, and then they wonder why they get knocked out in the fight.

“Your head can only take so many head shots. We’re starting to learn about concussions. We are elite-level athletes, and we’re paying attention to these things in training.”

“The Mauler” loves the spotlight

UFC on FUEL TV 2 main-eventer Alexander Gustafsson has the honor of headlining the UFC’s first-ever trip to his home country, but along with the accolades come increased responsibility. Gustafsson has being scores of interviews with both the Swedish and international media.

While some fighters complain of the strain of such a rigorous schedule of promotion, Gustafsson said he’s actually enjoying the attention.

“I’m just enjoying every second, to be in the spotlight,” Gustafsson said. “It’s a little new for me, but I’m enjoying it.”

However, the 25-year-old was quick to point out the newfound attention was certainly not going to his head. Quite to the contrary, Gustafsson said he’s worked harder than ever this time around.

“It’s all good,” Gustafsson said. “I’ve been focused on my training, so that’s where my head is.

“It’s just been great. I’m super-excited to do what I do.”

“I’m not here to decide nothing”

Speaking of Gustafsson, in certain circles, the 6-foot-5 Swede is being tabbed by some as a future challenge for UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. His opponent at UFC on FUEL TV 2, Thiago Silva, has been in the octagon with two former champs: Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida.

When the Brazilian was asked if he thought Gustafsson measured up to those two foes, Silva declined to make any comparisons.

“I think Alexander is a tough guy, but I’m not here to decide nothing,” Silva said. “I’m here just to fight and do my job, that’s it.”

Silva, of course, is fighting for the first time since serving a 12-month suspension for a performance-enhancing-drug-related issue, said he’s eager to again prove his relevance in the 205-pound division. But rather than sitting on past laurels, Silva said he’s planning on making new waves as a healed man.